Friday, May 3, 2013

After my photo walk downtown, I took another cab to take me to Botataung Paya. This temple is also located downtown but near the river. The Entrance Booth is located just before the main gate. You will be asked to leave your footwear in there. Admission Fee is USD 3.00.

Botataung, when literally translated means "1000 military officers". It got its name from these military officers who served as guards during the welcoming of Buddha's relics from India, over two thousand years ago.

outside the stupa

I saw gold everywhere, the stupa's exterior and interior were both glittering in gold. You'll see what I'm talking about as you read along.

the long line

When you enter the stupa, you will immediately see the the long queue of people wanting to have a glimpse of Buddha's sacred hair relic. I lined up right away too. I gets very crowded so easily because the space is too small.

the enclosed relic shrine

That was what you'll see at the end of the line. The locals or the Buddhists say a little prayer when they finally saw this. As for the foreign travelers like me, we just took photos.

more gold

It is gold from floor to ceiling. The details are beautiful too. It is very hollow inside. It was also designed like a maze.

offering

There are also ancient relics showcased in glass. You may also notice fruit offerings to Buddha in every corner of the "maze".

donations

Botataung Paya is much bigger than Sule. It has a wider temple grounds.

Botataung Paya

They say this pagoda was completely destroyed during the Second World War. Only 5 years after, when it was rebuilt after Burma claimed independence from the Brits.

birthday Buddha offerings

I find it more peaceful here. There are no "religious teachers" who insists on tagging along with you and the crowd is not as big as in Shwedagon.

golden shrine

There's this one big pavilion outside that houses this Buddha in all golden glory. It was grand and the interior details are nice.

This was my last pagoda in Yangon. I wasn't able to visit Chaukhtatgyi Paya anymore due to time constraints. Before I knew it, it was time for me to get ready and go to the bus station and leave for Bagan.